Description
Unicorn Poke Cake is a vibrant and fun dessert featuring a moist white cake infused with layers of colorful Jell-O, topped with a whipped cream frosting and festive rainbow sprinkles. Perfect for celebrations and sure to delight kids and adults alike with its playful unicorn theme and rainbow colors.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients required on the box, typically eggs, oil, and water)
Jell-O Layers
- 3 oz box of strawberry Jell-O
- 3 oz box of blue raspberry Jell-O
- 3 oz box of lemon Jell-O
Whipped Topping
- 8 oz tub of whipped topping (Cool Whip)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
Decorations
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Optional: Unicorn-themed decorations, like cake toppers or edible glitter
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Prepare the white cake mix according to package instructions including the required eggs, oil, and water. Pour the batter into a 9×13 inch baking dish and bake the cake as directed. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature.
- Make the Jell-O Filling: While the cake is cooling, prepare each flavor of Jell-O separately. Dissolve each 3 oz box of Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring well, then add ½ cup of cold water. Allow each mixture to cool to room temperature before use.
- Poke the Cake: Using the back of a spoon or a skewer, poke holes evenly all over the cooled cake surface to allow the Jell-O to soak in.
- Add the Jell-O: Slowly pour each colored Jell-O mixture over the cake, one color at a time, making sure the liquid seeps into the holes. Start with strawberry, then blue raspberry, and finish with lemon to create a rainbow layering effect. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to let the Jell-O set and firm up inside the cake.
- Prepare the Whipped Topping: In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with the powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Gently fold in the tub of whipped topping to combine.
- Frost the Cake: Once the Jell-O has set, evenly spread the whipped topping mixture over the entire cake to create a smooth frosting layer.
- Decorate the Cake: Sprinkle rainbow sprinkles liberally over the frosted cake and optionally add unicorn-themed decorations such as cake toppers or edible glitter for a magical finish.
- Serve: Slice the cake into 12 servings and enjoy this colorful, fun, and festive dessert!
Notes
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before poking and adding the Jell-O to prevent it from melting and becoming soggy.
- Use a fine skewer or the back end of a teaspoon for poking uniform holes without crumbling the cake.
- Let the Jell-O mixtures cool to room temperature before pouring over the cake to avoid melting the frosting or cake structure.
- The cake must chill for at least 2 hours or until the Jell-O is fully set for the best texture.
- Use full-fat whipped topping and cream for optimal taste and stability in the frosting.
- Decorations can be customized based on party theme or personal preference.
